Cosmetic Dentistry in Emeryville, CA

Evolutionarily, a smile is one of the first expressions we learn to make. As infants, we smile as a reflex, but as we grow more aware of our surroundings, we also begin to smile at external stimuli. Eventually, our smiling becomes more intentional, communicating joy, connection, and a range of emotions. However, as evolutionarily important as smiling is, many people feel self-conscious about their smile and find it difficult to share it with others. Even children as young as 4 years old can be sensitive about the appearance of their teeth, highlighting how early we develop awareness of our smiles. At San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants, Dr. Magno offers cosmetic dentistry services to enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. With our cosmetic treatments, you can feel like you again.

Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

The aim of cosmetic dentistry is to enhance the appearance of your teeth so you can feel good about your smile. While some are naturally gifted with flawless smiles, many face lifelong challenges with the look of their teeth. If you feel self-conscious about yours, Dr. Magno offers natural-looking solutions to restore your confidence.

A personalized cosmetic dentistry treatment plan may include one or more of the following procedures:

Dental Veneers

While many think dental veneers are only for the rich and famous, that’s not the case at San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants! Veneers are an excellent option for anyone with healthy teeth who feels self-conscious about their appearance!

These white porcelain shells cover smile imperfections like chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. To place them, Dr. Magno simply removes some enamel from the surface of the flawed tooth. This step creates room for the veneer to sit flush against your natural tooth structure. Then, she places temporary veneers on your prepared teeth, allowing you to assess what length, shape, size, and color you prefer. Once your final veneers arrive, Dr. Magno will cement them onto your teeth, giving you a beautiful and uniform smile built to last!

Your dental veneers will last many years as long as you care for them properly. Brushing, flossing, attending routine checkups, and wearing a night guard all help keep your veneers safe and healthy!

Composite Dental Fillings

Dr. Magno uses dental fillings to repair cavities or patch up a part of the tooth suffering from decay. If left untreated, these small holes in your teeth can become large and painful, eventually necessitating a tooth extraction. Thankfully, Dr. Magno can use a filling to patch up a smaller cavity to improve the tooth’s structural integrity!

While fillings are common in general dentistry, Dr. Magno can use tooth-colored fillings to improve the health and appearance of your teeth! After removing the decayed portion of the tooth, she will use a white composite resin to fill the hole. After Dr. Magno places the material, she will cure it with a light, hardening the resin to restore the tooth’s natural look and function.

Porcelain Crowns

While Dr. Magno uses dental crowns to restore a damaged or decayed tooth, she can also use them for cosmetic purposes! Tooth-colored porcelain crowns can improve the shape, size, or color of your tooth, creating a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing smile.

These tooth-shaped caps cover the entire visible portion of your tooth. Before placing a crown, Dr. Magno carefully reshapes the tooth to ensure a proper fit. This preparation allows the crown to sit securely, creating a natural-looking and seamless smile.

Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign is an amazing alternative to braces, providing a discreet and effective way to straighten teeth. Dr. Magno uses these clear aligners to move teeth to their proper position.

After taking impressions of your smile, Dr. Magno will have a series of clear plastic aligners fabricated that perfectly fit the contours of your teeth. Each tray will move you further along in the process until your smile is exactly where it should be!

Mini Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium posts screwed into the jawbone to replace teeth. These implants provide a foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dr. Magno uses mini dental implants, a smaller and sleeker version that offers many incredible benefits, including a minimally invasive procedure.

To place mini implants, Dr. Magno will create a small pilot hole in your gums and jawbone and gently screw the implant in place. Once secure, she will place a temporary restoration on top, instantly providing you with a beautiful and functional smile.

These implants restore missing teeth, support jawbone health, and blend seamlessly with your natural smile! With mini implants, no one will know you were missing any teeth at all!

Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Restorative Dentistry

Insurance companies often base coverage decisions on the purpose of the dental treatment. Cosmetic dentistry, for instance, is usually not covered because it is considered “non-essential.” However, many cosmetic procedures also offer restorative benefits, which may qualify them for partial coverage.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry treatments are often covered by insurance because they are considered medically necessary. The main purpose of these procedures is to improve the health and function of your smile, though many also enhance its appearance! For instance, dental crowns, fillings, and Invisalign are generally covered to some extent. Dr. Magno uses dental crowns and fillings to restore teeth, fortifying their structure. However, she also uses both for cosmetic purposes, ensuring your teeth look as beautiful as they are strong.

Most people want Invisalign for its cosmetic benefits, such as straightening teeth. However, these clear aligners also improve oral function! Insurance typically covers Invisalign because it improves bite alignment and eliminates gaps and overcrowding, which can make caring for your smile easier.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry focuses mainly on enhancing the appearance of your smile rather than its health or structure. While these procedures may have some restorative properties, insurance companies don’t typically cover them.

Many insurance companies categorize dental veneers and implants as cosmetic procedures. Dr. Magno uses veneers to hide imperfections, providing a beautiful, uniform smile. While the procedure mainly enhances the appearance of your smile, veneers also offer some structural reinforcement to your teeth, especially teeth with cracks or chips!

Many insurance companies consider dental implants cosmetic because they make your smile whole again! However, these companies fail to consider the health benefits implants offer. Not only do they replace tooth roots, maintaining the health of your jawbone, but they also improve your smile’s function! Though your coverage may not reflect this, mini implants are a comprehensive treatment with both restorative and cosmetic benefits.

Enhance Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry Today!

If you have had a lifelong struggle with your smile, cosmetic dentistry at San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants could be the solution you’ve been waiting for! Dr. Magno offers transformative treatments designed to help patients smile with confidence. Contact San Francisco East Bay Mini Dental Implants today and take the first step toward a more radiant smile!

Frequently Asked Questions